despotism

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

n. Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority.

n. The actions of a despot; tyranny.

n. A government or political system in which the ruler exercises absolute power: "Kerensky has a place in history, of a brief interlude between despotisms” ( William Safire).

n. A state so ruled.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

n. government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

n. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny.

n. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

n. Absolute power; authority unlimited and uncontrolled by constitutional restrictions, and depending only on the will of the prince: as, the despotism of Louis XIV.

n. An arbitrary government; the rule of a despot; absolutism; autocracy.

n. Figuratively, absolute power or controlling influence.

n.Synonyms Despotism, Tyranny, Autocracy, Absolutism. All these words imply absolute power. Tyranny is the abuse of absolute power, legal or usurped, and implies oppression. Despotism, in its earlier and still frequent meaning, does not necessarily imply either regard or disregard for the welfare of the subject; but there is also a tendency to give it essentially the same meaning as tyranny, using absolutism or autocracy where an unfavorable meaning is not intended. See oppression.

n. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Examples

Loud were the complaints of these gentry at what they called the despotism of the new governor-general, on finding themselves excluded from that participation in state secrets in which they had long reveled, in a country where so much advantage may be derived from knowing beforehand what is coming at headquarters.